BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 199
82R2056 TRH-F	By: West
	Agriculture & Rural Affairs
	2/8/2011
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law allows elementary schools and middle schools in large urban districts to apply to the Texas Department of Agriculture for grants to fund agriculture demonstration projects designed to foster an understanding and awareness of agriculture and horticulture among urban school students.  This bill would permit nonprofit organizations such as the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4 H clubs to partner with elementary and middle schools in application for the grants administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

As proposed, S.B. 199 amends current law relating to the eligibility of nonprofit organizations that partner with certain schools to receive grants for agricultural projects.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 48.001, Agriculture Code, as follows:

Sec. 48.001. CREATION. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text.  Makes no further changes to this subsection.

(b) Authorizes the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to award a grant under this chapter to a nonprofit organization that partners with a school described by Subsection (a) to establish a project described by Subsection (a) at the school. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 48.002, Agriculture Code, as follows:

Sec. 48.002.  ELIGIBILITY.  Provides that subject to available funds, a public elementary or middle school, or a nonprofit organization that partners with the school, is eligible to receive a grant under this chapter if the school:

(1) Makes no changes to this subdivision; and

(2) submits to TDA at the time and in the form required by TDA, a proposal for a demonstration agricultural project that includes certain information and, if a nonprofit organization is applying for the grant, a statement from the school that the nonprofit organization is partnering with the school.

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 48.004, Agriculture Code, to add a nonprofit organization that receives a grant under this chapter to the requirement to report the results of the project to TDA in a manner determined by TDA.

SECTION 4.  Repealer: Section 48.003 (relating to limiting the award given by TDA to a school under this chapter in a school year to no more than $2,500), Agriculture Code. 

SECTION 5.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.